10 Largest Music Venues In Brazil
It was only in 1985 during the first Rock in Rio festival that Brazil started being considered as an imperative stop for all famous bands touring internationally. In this article, we will take a look at the 10 largest music venues in Brazil.
It is important to state that the following list is based mainly on the maximum capacity that the venue is able to hold.
1. Chevrolet Hall
The largest music venue in Brazil is owned by Luiz Augusto Nóbrega, Antônio Gonçalves and José Inácio da Silva and sponsored by Chevrolet and is thus named Chevrolet Hall. It is located between the cities of Recife and Olinda in the Northeastern state of Pernambuco and was built in 2001. It has hosted concerts by Elton John, Guns n’ Roses and Dream Theater.
The maximum internal capacity of Chevrolet Hall is 18.000 people, and its maximum external capacity - as it can accommodate concerts in its parking lot - is 40.000 people.
2. HSBC Arena
HSBC Arena is Latin America’s largest multi use arena and the second largest music venue in Brazil. It is owned by the Prefecture of the city of Rio de Janeiro, is sponsored by HSBC and is located in Rio de Janeiro in the Southeastern region. Opened in 2007 for the 2007 Pan American Games, it has hosted concerts by Sir Paul McCartney, Eric Clapton, Ozzy Osbourne and Bruno Mars.
The maximum internal capacity of the HSBC Arena is 18.000 people.
3. Siará Hall
Siará Hall is owned by Francisco Helionidas. Located in the city of Fortaleza in the Northeastern state of Ceará, it opened in 2005. Siará Hall has already hosted concerts by The Cranberries, Jason Mraz, Scorpions and 50 Cent.
The maximum internal capacity of Siará Hall is 14.000 people.
4. Devassa on Stage
Devassa on Stage is owned by Doremi Caramori Jr. and other partners, and is sponsored by Brasil Kirin, the owner of the Devassa beer brand. Located in the city of Florianópolis in the Southern state of Santa Catarina, Devassa on Stage opened in 2010. It has hosted concerts by Amy Winehouse, Florence and The Machine and Jack Johnson.
The maximum internal capacity of Devassa on Stage is 12.000 people.
5. Citibank Hall Rio de Janeiro
Citibank Hall Rio de Janeiro is owned by Time for Fun and is sponsored by Citibank. Located in the city of Rio de Janeiro in the Southeastern region, Citibank Hall Rio de Janeiro opened in 1994. It has hosted concerts by Linkin Park, B. B. King, Taylor Swift and Nightwish.
The maximum internal capacity of Citibank Hall Rio de Janeiro is 8.500 people.
6. Espaço das Américas
Espaço das Américas is owned by Grupo São Paulo Evento. Located in the city of São Paulo in the Southeastern region of Brazil, Espaço das Américas opened in 2002. It has hosted concerts by Queens of the Stone Age, Deep Purple and PitBull.
The maximum internal capacity of Espaço das Américas is 8.000 people.
7. Pepsi on Stage
Pepsi on Stage is owned by Alexandre Lopes and Cláudio Favero and is sponsored by Pepsi. Located in the city of Porto Alegre in the Southern state of Rio Grande do Sul, Pepsi on Stage opened in 2006. It has hosted concerts by Placebo, Strokes, Arcade Fire and the Black Eyed Peas.
The maximum internal capacity of Pepsi on Stage is 7.200 people.
8. Citibank Hall São Paulo
Citibank Hall São Paulo is owned by Time for Fun and is sponsored by Citibank. Located in the city of São Paulo in the Southeastern region, Citibank Hall São Paulo opened in 1999. It has hosted concerts by Jake Bugg, Jason Derulo and Joss Stone.
The maximum internal capacity of Citibank Hall São Paulo is 7.000 people.
9. Net Live Brasília
Net Live Brasília is owned by Sérgio Coelho e Rafael Godoy, and is sponsored by Net. Located in the city of Brasilia in the Mid-Western state of Distrito Federal, Net Live Brasília opened in 1993. It has hosted concerts by Joe Satriani, Dream Theater and 30 Seconds to Mars.
The maximum internal capacity of Net Live Brasília is 6.500 people.
10. Opinião
Opinião is owned by Alexandre Lopes and Cláudio Favero, the same owners of Pepsi on Stage. Located in the city of Porto Alegre in the Southern state of Rio Grande do Sul, Opinião opened in 1983. It has hosted concerts by Bob Dylan, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Motörhead and Jethro Tull.
The maximum internal capacity of Opinião is 2.000 people.
Other important venues
Despite Brazil offering some interesting venues specifically dedicated to music concerts, the majority of the larger concerts take place in venues that are not exclusively dedicated to music, like football stadiums, racing tracks, parking lots and parks.
Among them, the best known venues are:
- Arena Anhembi, which hosted the Aerosmith concert in 2013, with capacity for 30.000 people
- Autódromo Interlagos, which hosted the 2014 Lollapalooza Festival, with a daily capacity of 100.000 people
- Campo de Marte, which hosted the Black Sabbath concert in 2013, with capacity for 70.000 people
- Estádio do Morumbi, which hosted the Beyonce concert in 2013, with capacity for 60.000 people